Helen Chalk Portrait

Helen Chalk

Deputy Head of Manchester Law School

Legal Education, Legal Professionalism and Legal Services

My profile

Biography

Who am I?

I read Law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge and qualified as a corporate lawyer with Linklaters. I worked in London and Hong Kong offices specialising in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and general commercial matters. I was seconded to the London Stock Exchange to advise on the Listing Rules and also advised the Financial Services Authority.

I joined Manchester Law School teaching business, company law, taxation and professional skills across the LLB, LPC and LLM. I have a particular interest in graduate employability in the legal sector and I have led the Law School’s strategy in this area.

I have been Deputy Head of Manchester Law School since 2021. In that capacity I am actively involved in strategy and leadership within the Law School, working with external providers, employer panels and colleagues to deliver enhanced education and employability opportunities for students.

Specialism

Company Law, Taxation, Legal Education and Skills, Employability

Academic and professional qualifications

  • MA, BA Law (Cantab.)
  • PGDip. Legal Practice
  • PGCert. AP
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  • Apprentice Assessor Award
  • Certificate in Leading Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment
  • Solicitor (non-practising)

Get in touch

0161 247 3042
6.22 Sandra Burslem Building

Impact

Directorships

I am a director of the Central Applications Board Limited (CAB Ltd). CAB Ltd is a not-for-profit company whose purpose is to support those seeking legal qualification in England and Wales by:

  • Promoting greater understanding of the steps required to join the legal profession
  • Signposting the variety of options available to applicants seeking to qualify
  • Providing a single gateway to apply for courses that lead to, or prepare for, qualification

I am also a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Styal. My role involves monitoring the prison estate and prison life and ensuring that prisoners and detained individuals are treated fairly and humanely.

External examining

I have undertaken external examining roles across a wide range of institutions and currently hold posts at the University of Law in relation to the LPC and LLM and City University, London in relation to the SQE.

Regulation

I have also worked with regulators, mainly the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), in managing programme compliance with regulation and accreditation requirements.

Consultancy

I consult on graduate recruitment for Linklaters.

Teaching

I teach on business, company law, taxation and professional skills units across the LLB, LPC and LLM.

Supervision

I supervise LLB and LLM dissertations in my area of practice expertise, with particular focus on corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and environmental, social and corporate governance.